St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-04-04
COSTELLO WAS CAUGHT.
Jsdse Cary Gives a Critic. OF His
Methods of selecting Iur6rs, a
haste saS the IL G nacdY Prescrtbed.

II
Methods of selecting Jur6rs,
taste ef the Remedy Prescribed.
The versatile Michael Costello. writing
editor and oracle for the Dispatch, has
ceased his cajoling on the methods and
ways which Judge Cory, of the municipal
court, uses to secure jurymen in the liquor
cases. Not long ago, when one of these
juries returned verdict for a saloonkeeper
who was charged with keeping open after
L. Mr. Costello, with his keen PERCEPTION
and knowledge of the law, discovered that
the jury was not made up of men of aver
age intelligence, and he said so in his paper.
He further advised that the court should
select his jurymen ''as they do in New
York" in alphabetical order from the
directory. Judge Cory took the hint
and began in the "C's." The
next case that came up he
sent bailiff down with summons for the
brilliant Michael Costello. The editor sat
in his sanctum with his sleeves rolled up
and cold perspiration standing on his ample
forehead in the effort to wiring out a
LEADER for the evening edition. The man
aging editor was yelling for copy. and not
stickful of editorial matter had gone to the
printer To fill the column and half would
sake the writer every minute till the paper
went to press. This was the fix when the
bailiff found his way in and read the sum-
mons. Mr.. Costello swore, but he was too
mneh OF lawyer to try excuses to the
bailiff. He grasped his coat and hurried to
the courtroom. to get excused. Judge
Cory smiled blandly as he walked up.
Your honor, will have to be excused"
said the Juror.
ION what grounds, sir?''
Il am q lawyer, your honor
His honor elected a reluctant admission
that the applicant for an excuse was not
admitted to practice in Minnesota courts
and refused to excuse him. Mr.. Costello
then renewed his request on the ground
that he was member of the National
guard. He was beaten from this position
by the court, when he acknowledged, that
he had only made application-and had not
been elected to full membership Then
said the genius Costello: II am not resi-
dent of the city," But he was forced to
admit that he voted at the November cleo
tions. In fit of desperation Mr.. Costello
came at it again with his last excuse. and
with the air of a man who was presenting
an invincible argument.
Your honor he said, II presume you are
aware that am the editorial writer of the
Dispatch. My duties require my immediate
attention
.Mr. Costello" replied the court in voice
OF profound humor, las lawyer, you should
know that that is 10 valid excuse. You will
take your seat in the box
And the unwilling juror did take his sea!
in the box. and listened for four hours to
the harangueS of barristers and testimony
of witnesses, and then wrestled with eleven
obstinate jurymen for two mole hours be-
fore relief came. He left the court room,
and suffered from nervous prostraton all
night. and the readers of the Dispatch that
evening were treated to a religio philo
sophical essay from the gifted pen OF
bart"
That is why Michael Costello has nc
more to say about selecting intelligent
jurors.